Completed dirk

**Nick** · 16th June 06, 10:49 AM

Here's the completed dirk, which was shown half-finished in my "New Knives" thread.

The sheath was cut from a side and belly, so it's all completely from scratch. I don't work with leather much, and the cuts are a little rough in a couple spots (they're actually better in real life, the pictures make them look less even), but I think this is one of my better leather projects. I'm pleased with how the die and finish turned out as well (also hand-done). The lower ring which the belt loop is attached to isn't attached to the sheath, it fits tight around and is stopped by the throat ring. The dirk fits snugly in the sheath; there's no danger of it ever falling out.

The blade is 9" long, and the handle is 5.5" long, 14.5" overall. The tang is nearly the entire length of the handle, but the handle is not drilled all the way through: it was bored with drill, file, and chisel to fit the tang. The blade is also inlet a tiny bit into the handle so there's no visible shoulder.

The handle is Michigan Walnut, and the blade is forged from a roughly 7" piece of 3/4" high carbon roundstock.

I'm very happy with how this turned out. My friend Dan says this is a "Life Knife", and as I say, "It shall be an heirloom of my house"

Cheers,
Nick